Chris Pine eyes lead in 'Welcome to People'

Drama will be directed by 'Star Trek' co-writer Alex Kurtzman

Chris Pine is in preliminary discussions to take the lead in the DreamWorks drama "Welcome to People," the directorial debut of "Star Trek" and "Transformers" co-screenwriter Alex Kurtzman.

"People" follows a man who must deliver $150,000 in cash to an alcoholic sister he didn't know he had after the death of their father. Without telling her who he is, the guy also gets involved in the life of her angry 12-year-old son.

Kurtzman wrote the screenplay with regular collaborator Roberto Orci ("Mission: Impossible III") and Jody Lambert ("Of All the Things"). Kurtzman and Orci are producing through their DreamWorks-based Paper Products banner, along with Bobby Cohen.

Pine, repped by SDB Partners and John Carrabino Management, last starred in "Star Trek," which Kurtzman and Orci wrote. He is currently filming the Fox comedy "This Means War," and he will next appear in theaters in the Fox thriller "Unstoppable" in November.

Kurtzman, with Orci, co-wrote and produced "Cowboys & Aliens," which DreamWorks and Universal will open in July. The pair is also co-writing the script for the "Star Trek" sequel at Paramount for a June 2012 release.